Cigarette packers

ABSTRACT

A packing machine having means for successively filling a plurality of containers with rodlike articles and independent means for forming a foil and paper pack and means for transferring the articles from the container into the pack.

United States Patent Inventor Goftredo Glanese Bologna, Italy App]. No. 828,317 Filed May 27, 1969 Patented June 8, 1971 Assignee AMF incorporated Priority June 11, 1968 Italy 7098/68 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 734,371, June 4, 1968, now Patent No. 3,531,91 1, and a continuation-in-part of 734,372, June 4, 1968. This application May 27, 1969, Ser. No. 828,317

CIGARETTE PACKERS 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 53/124, 53/140,53/192 lnt.Cl ..B65b 63/02,

B656 5/08, B65b 19/12 Field of Search 53/24, 124,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,969,631 1/1961 Grade 53/192 3,103,772 9/1963 Anderson....... 53/192 3,311,034 3/1967 Whitaker 93/12C 3,385,176 5/1968 Whitaker 93/12C 3,403,493 10/1968 Focke 53/151 3,416,410 12/1968 Whitaker... 19/12C 3,426,503 2/1969 Sherrill 53/124 3,435,735 4/1969 Whitaker 93/12C 3,448,846 6/1969 Bardenhagen.... 198/35 3,479,787 1 1/1969 Bardenhagen.... 53/24X 3,516,214 6/1970 Focke 53/148X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,261,032 4/1961 France 93/12C Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorneys-George W. Price and Eli Weiss ABSTRACT: A packing machine having means for successively filling a plurality of containers with rodlike articles and independent means for forming a foil and paper pack and means for transferring the articles from the container into the pack.

PATENTEU JUN 8 l97| SHEET 1 OF 5 Em men NJ GOFFREDO GIANESE axm in Mvm m& m w m wk Q BY d 77 ATTZZNEY PATENTED JUN 8197: 3581130 sum 2 0r 5 INVEN'I'OR. GOFFREDO GIANESE TTORNEY PATENTEU JUN 8|97| 3583130 sum 3 OF 5 INVI'IN'I'OR. GOFFREDO GIANESE &

ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUN 8|97l $583,130

' sumuurs INVI'IN'I'UR. GOFFREDO GIANESE ATTORNEY PATENTED JUN 8 I97! SHEET 5 [1F 5 Lwlcrv'mle. GOFFREDO GIANESE ATTORNEY (IIGAFJETTIE PACKERS This application is a continuation'in-part of application Ser. No. 734,371, filed June 4,1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,531,91 l; and of application Ser. No. 734,372, filed June 4, 1968.

The present invention relates to machines for packaging rodlike articles and in particular to apparatus for packaging cigarettes.

in copending application Ser. No. 734,372 filed June 4, 1968 claiming priority from Italian application 7068 A/67 filed June 12, 1967 there is described a machine for automatically packaging cigarettes or similar rodlike articles, comprising essentially a first endless articulated conveyor chain consisting of a plurality of individual successive containers, each capable of containing a neatly arranged group of cigarettes to be packed; and a second endless articulated conveyor chain, consisting of a plurality of individual successive packmaking devices, each comprising means for forming on a suitable support a wrapper pack, open at one end and destined to receive the group of cigarettes container in a container of the first conveyor. The two conveyors are caused to move side by side around a drum in the area of which each container of the first conveyor is made to be in line with a pacltmaking device of the second conveyor. This drum is provided with means for axially transferring each group of cigarettes from a container of the first conveyor into the wrapper pack formed in the packmaking device of the second conveyor and for closing and ejecting from the machine the cigarette package so formed.

In copending applications Ser. No. 734,371 filed June 4, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,911, issued Get. 6, 1970, claiming priority from Italian application 7139 A/67 filed July 7, 1967, there is described a mechanism whereby the container conveyor, prior to its travel around the drum, passes in the area of a cigarette feeder which automatically forms in each container at desired group of neatly arranged cigarettes to be packed. In copending application Ser. No. 828,255 filed May 27, 1969 claiming priority from Italian application 7092 A/68 filed June 8, 1968 there is shown apparatus for simultaneously forming in the packmaking devices of the second conveyor, an open tubular wrapper pack.

This invention relates to mechanism for transferring the cigarettes and provides a packmaking drum in which there is essentially provided means for axially transferring each group of cigarettes from a container of the first conveyor into the wrapper pack formed in each forming device of the second conveyor, the transferring means being associated with locking means which prevent such transfer where there are missing, soft-end or otherwise defective cigarettes; means for compressing each group of cigarettes during its transfer from a container into the associated wrapper pack forming device; and means for transferring from the packmalting drum the cigarette packages obtained on it.

The features of the invention and the resulting advantages will be understood from the following detailed description ofa preferred embodiment, illustrated as a nonrestrictive example in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 11 is an axial section of the packmaking drum around which are moved the two endless articulated chains, respectively of the cigarette containers and of the wrapper forming devices in the automatic packing machine,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view ofa section taken on lines 11- of HG. 1 which illustrates the set of cigarette compressing devices on the drum.

FIGS. 3 and d are details, in enlarged scale, of a compressing device of the set of devices of FIG. 3, respectively in the opened and closed positions, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of an axial cigarette pusher and ofthe relative axial transfer locking device.

With reference to the drawings and, first, in particular to FIG. 1, conveyor 1 holding containers 8 and conveyor 2 holding wrapper pack forming devices 12 (employing a fixed tubular arbor 212) each passes around corresponding sprocket wheels 103 and 203 respectively, which are coaxial and integral secured with each other as for example, by means of fastening pins 4-. The wheels 103 and 203 form part ofa single drum 3 which is mounted, free to rotate, on a fixed horizontal shaft 5. This arrangement enables the two endless conveyor chains 1 and 2 to move in synchronism and continuously, at the same uniform speed. The synchronous prescribed motion can be obtained by coupling a suitable motor 301 to drum 3 as for example, by means of a gear system comprising a pinion 302 keyed to the shaft of the motor and meshing with a corresponding toothed wheel 303 secured about the drum.

The containers 8 and packmaking or wrapper forming devices 12 have been thoroughly described in the aforementioned patents and need not be further described. It is obvious from the introduction hereto that as the drum 3 around which both chains 1 and 2 travel, each container 8 is filled with a neatly arranged group of cigarettes, while simultaneously on the arbor of each wrapper forming device 12 an already formed wrapper is formed with a closed end and an open end, the latter of which facing the container conveyor chain 1. The center distance between the tubular arbor 212 of the successive wrapper forming devices corresponds to that of the successive containers 8 so that in the area of the drum 3, each container 8 becomes set in lateral alignment with the arbor 212 of a forming device 12. In this aligned and opposed position the containers are in relative nonmovement thereby permitting the group of cigarettes in each container to be axially transferred into the wrapper pack formed on the associated forming device. As described by the present invention, the cigarettes are compressed and are subsequently expelled, always axially, from the arbor together with the wrapper into which it then settles thus forming a cigarette package. The open end of this package is finally closed and it is then removed from the drum by means of an expelling device also described hereafter.

The corresponding wheels 103 and 203 for the conveyor chains 1 and 2 are not arranged directly adjacent to each other but are separated by a first ring of connectors 13 and a second ring of compressor pockets 14. The ring of connectors 13 and pockets 14 are mounted in open radial notches 304 ofa circular disc 305 which is fastened to a hub 306 rotatable mounted on the fixed shaft 5. The hub 306 is integrally connected to the wheels 103 and 203 so that they rotate conjointly. Connectors 13 and compressors 14 are axially aligned in fixed combinations and are spaced circumferentially so that both the containers 3 and pack forming devices 12 assume a coaxial arrangement with them on the drum 3.

Each compressor pocket 14 comprises (FIG. 3) a pair of parallel jaw members 307 extending along the axis thereof. The jaw members 307 are each fixed to an angularly disposed oppositely placed slide 308A which is movably secured between mating rails 309 so that the jaw members 307 can be made to move toward each other while the parallel relationship is maintained. The pocket 14 also includes a second pair ofjaw members 310A which are movable secured to the slide 308A parallel to each other perpendicular to their respective associated jaw members 307. The second jaw members are normally biased away from the slide 308A by a spring 311 so that their ends engage with the face of the opposite jaw members 307. Consequently the two pair ofjaw members 307 and 310A fashion a boxlike frame 312 with open ends and dimensions corresponding to those of a cigarette package. As the jaws are moved by action of slide 308A the walls move together or recede from the other as desired, yet the frame or boxlike configuration is maintained.

The two opposed slides 308A are connected via adjustable tie rods 313 to a rocker arm 3141 (FIG. 2) which is secured at its center to a shaft adapted for oscillating movement. The oscillating shaft is integrally fixed to an; arm which is guided by a slidable coupling element 315. The coupling 315 rides within a channel cam profile 316 integral with a rotary disc wheel 317 (FIG. 2). Meanwhile one end of the oscillating shaft fits within a bushing 318 mounted in disc 305. The cam profile 316 is so designed so that every time disc 305 makes a revolution, the rocker arm 314 oscillates creating a relative sliding motion between the two tie rods 313, which is transmitted to the slides 3013A thereby opening and closing jaws 3417 thereby varying the size and dimension of the boxlike frame 312. By selecting the position and the cam profile each of the successive frames 312 can be made to open for the reception of cigarettes from the container 8 and then close to compress the cigarettes for subsequent transfer to the pack arbor.

This transfer is accomplished by means of axial pushers 16 (FIG. 5) mounted, free to move reciprocally forward and backward on sliding guides 17 which are integral within a pusher holding drum 15. Each pusher 16 consists ofa plurality of parallel and interspaced flat rectangular rods whose number and profile correspond to those of the compartments of each container 8 of chain 1. Furthermore, each pusher 16 is provided with a roller 116 at its forward end which runs on a shaped peripheral flute 113, partially open backward, of a cylindrical cam 18 which is fastened to fixed shaft 5 within the rotating pusher holding drum 15. The cam 13 determines the axial movement of the pushers 16. The roller 116 acts positively on the pushers 16 by frictional action and can by inversion of its direction reciprocate the pushers as desired. Gear drives can also be employed. Normally, pushers 16 are retracted in the respective drum 15 in a rest position in which they do not extend over wheel 103 of the drum 3 and consequently do not interfere with the path of chain 1. After the alignment of each container 15 with a combined connector 1 compressor pocket 14 and with a wrapper forming device 12 on the opposite side of said combined group, the respective plunger 16 is caused to move forward by the flute 118 in the fixed cam 18. The individual parallel rods of pusher 16 move into the compartments of container 8 and pass through them thus pushing axially the cigarettes from the container 8 causing them to pass through tubular connector 13, into the com pressor pockets 14 at the moment in which the frame 312 of the pocket has reached its maximum expansion due to the sliding in opposite directions of the associated tie rods 313; and, then, through said pocket and through the tubular arbor 212 of the corresponding wrapper forming device 12 when said compressor pocket has reached its maximum narrowness corresponding to a desired degree of compression of the cigarettes.

The group of cigarettes so compressed is then pushed further forward within the arbor of the associated wrapper forming device 12, until it meets the closed end of the wrapper pack and consequently forces the pack to slide axially from arbor 212 and settles within it. When, the wrapper, so filled with cigarettes, has been completely disengaged from the arbor, the wrapper bottom forming means associated with this box completes the closure of the package.

According to a further feature of this invention, a locking device 416 is provided which prevents the axial movement of the pusher 16 towards containers 8 whenever one of these containers has a filling defect, that is, it has missing, defective or soft-end cigarettes. The locking device 416 keeps the pushers in retracted position and comprises a pawl 319 keyed to sliding guide 320 which can rotate about its own shaft. This pawl 319, is adapted to engage a ratchet 321 which is connected to the pusher 16. The release of pawl 319 from ratchet 321 is obtained by the shaped profile cam 322, which engages a roller lever 322A coupled to the pawl 319 which in turn is operated by an actuating element 416A such as, a pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid. The actuation of solenoid 416A causes the depression of the lever 322A and consequently the release of pawl 319 from ratchet 321 permitting the roller 116 to enter cam 18. A spring device 324 connected to lever 322A urges the roller 116 to enter the cam 18. Normally, transferring pushers 16 are locked in retracted position so that no transfer is accomplished. However, when the group of cigarettes corresponding to a predetermined pusher'is sensed by the detecting means as being complete, full and in proper condition, the pawl 319 is lifted by actuation of solenoid 416A, whereby roller 116 is urged into track 323 to thereby cause the forward motion of plunger 16.

After the package has been closed, a further final forward motion of pusher 16 transfers the closed package directly to a device forming part of drum 3 and comprising essentially a disc 24 which is mounted free to rotate on the fixed shaft 5 (FlG. 1). The disc 24 is integrally connected to wheels 103, 203 and carries on its periphery, a ring of expelling spider elements 25, each having four open top housings 325.

Each spider element 25 is located in relation to and corresponds to a compressor pocket 14 and flared connector 13 combination. The four housings 325 of each element 25 are set in a cross array, with their open tops facing outwards, around a shaft 326. Each housing is of the size to contain a cigarette package.

Each spider element 25 of four cross housings 325 is adapted to rotate intermittently around shaft 326 in order that the open top of each of the four housings can be brought successively into a coaxial position with associated combined compressor pocket 14 and flared connector 13 and consequently into coaxial position with the respective arbor 212 and with the associated container 8, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This intermittent rotation is obtained by virtue of an axially fluted cam 327 secured on a fixed disc 32% and in which there is fit the tappet wheel ofa rack 329. The rack 329 is supported to be radially slidable within the assembly of wheel 24. The rack 329 meshes with pinion 330, freely rotatable around shaft 326.

Fastened to this shaft 326 is a ratchet wheel 331 which cooperates between two pawls of which one is articulated to pinion 330 and the other in a point on rotary support wheel 24. This ensures the intermittent motion of spider 25 and the idle return of rack 329. Alternatively, pinion 330 could be mounted on a freewheel hub independent of ratchet wheel 331.

The cigarette package expelled by a pusher 16 from each packmaking device 12 is introduced axially into a housing 325 of the respective cross spider element 25 where the outside end, that is the other bottom end of the wrapper, is immediately closed. Before drum 3 and consequently disc 24 have made a complete revolution, the housings 325 rotates one step (and, for instance, in the illustrated case, a step) around shaft 326 in order to orient the housing with the package radially upwards or outwards. In this position, a closing stamp can be applied with suitable means on the outer end of the package.

The group of cross spider housings 325 rotates a further 90 in the same direction when the drum makes another revolu tion in order to once again orient the housing with the package parallel to the axis of drum 3 but with its open end facing outwards, that is, towards the side opposite to chain 2 and to packmaking devices 12. In this position, the cigarette package, which is completely closed and provided with the stamp, is expelled axially from the respective housing of the cross element 25 by means of another expelling device comprising for each e1ement25 of cross housings a hammer 331A actuated through an articulated quadrilateral 332 and a roller tappet 333, by a front cam profile 334 of fixed disc 328, so that at each revolution of element 25, there is an expelling blow by hammer 331A of each element 25 removing from the machine a completed package.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the em bodiment which has been described and illustrated but many changes and modifications, evident to the engineers in this field, could be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What 1 claim is:

1. A packing machine for rodlike articles comprising a first conveyor having a plurality of spaced containers in each of which a group of articles of predetermined number are arranged and a second conveyor having mounted thereon a plurality of spaced arbors about each of which a wrapper pack for said articles is formed, said containers corresponding in number and position to said arbors and said conveyors each moving in a distinct closed path a portion of each of which being in common so that said containers and said arbors are axially aligned, means for axially transferring each group of said articles from said containers to an associated arbor including means for compressing said articles in said group to fit within said pack and for removing said pack so filled with said articles therefrom, said means for transferring and removing said article being mounted to move conjointly with said first and second conveyors during the common portion of their paths.

2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said transfer means comprise a plurality of pushers each of which is mounted in associated axial alignment with a container and arbor in their common path of movement, first cam means including individual follower means connect to each of said pushers for successively reciprocating said pushers to effect transfer of said article during the movement of said conveyors.

3. The machine according to claim 2 wherein the common path of said conveyors extends about coaxial first and second arcuate members, the pushers are radially mounted about a coaxial wheel member and the first cam is a cylindrical member having an opposed fluted first cam profile, said wheel member and said first cam being integrally connected with said arcuate members, each of said pusher members being provided with a cam follower located within said fluted profile, said profile being formed so as to reciprocally move said pushers backwards and forwards during selected portions of the rotation of said cam.

4. The machine according to claim 3 including means for selectively preventing location of the cam follower into the fluted profile to prevent movement of said pusher.

5. The machine according to claim 4 wherein the means for preventing location of the cam follower comprises means for mounting said cam follower on a sliding shaft, a pawl mounted about a rotatable shaft, said pawl being located adjacent said sliding shaft to selectively engage said sliding shaft to prevent its movement and means for rotating said pawl shaft in response to a predetermined signal into and out of the path of the sliding shaft.

6. The machine according to claim 2 in which the means for compressing each group of articles comprises a plurality of compressor pockets, said pockets being mounted about a third arcuate member coaxial with the common path of movement of the first and second conveyors each compressor being axially aligned between associated container and arbor and comprises a first pair of opposed parallel jaw members fixed to an angular slide, means mounting each said slide for reciprocally opposed movement with each other, a second pair of opposed movable jaw members mounted perpendicularly to said first jaw members, spring means for urging said second jaw members into engagement with the faces of the opposite one of said fixed members said jaw members forming a rectangular frame corresponding to the pack formation and means for moving said slide so as to vary the distances. between the opposed members to thereby vary the dimensions of said frame.

7. The machine according to claim 6 including a plurality of flared connector members, said connector members being mounted in one to one relationship with said compressor pockets between said compressor pockets and the associated container.

8. The machine according to claim 6 including an elongated arm attached to each of the slides, a lever rocker pivotally interconnecting each of the ends of said arms, a cam follower connected to said lever, a second cam having a fluted profile receiving said follower, said second cam mounted coaxially with the third arcuate member, said cam profile being adapted to selectively rock said lever to move said arms in opposed directions thereby opening and closing the compressor pocket.

9. The machine according to claim 1 in which the means for removing the filled pack comprises a fourth arcuate member coaxially with the common path of travel of said conveyors, said arcuate member having a plurality of boxlike housing fitted about the periphery thereof in axial alignment to the associated containers and arbors whereby said filled packs may be transferred therein, hammer means mounted ad acent said housing and means for actuating said hammer at predetermined intervals to expel said pack from said housing.

10. The machine according to claim 9 wherein said housings are arranged in a group of four in a cross array around a common axis, means for indexing said array about said axis in predetermined intervals, the hammer means being actuated only after at least one such indexing.

11. The device according to claim 11]) in which the indexing means comprises a rack freely slideable radially with respect to said fourth arcuate member slide means for mounting said rack, a fluted cam mounted to said fourth arcuate member for receiving said slide means thereby rectilinearly moving said rack, a pinion mounted about the axis of the housing cross array and ratchet means engaging with said rack and said pinion to provide directional movement to said array.

12. The machine according to claim 11 including a four bar linkage having at one end the hammer means and being connected at the other end to a cam follower received within a cam profile mounted on the fourth arcuate member, said cam profile being adapted to reciprocate said hammer in synchronism with the indexing of said array. 

1. A packing machine for rodlike articles comprising a first conveyor having a plurality of spaced containers in each of which a group of articles of predetermined number are arranged and a second conveyor having mounted thereon a plurality of spaced arbors about each of which a wrapper pack for said articles is formed, said containers corresponding in number and position to said arbors and said conveyors each moving in a distinct closed path a portion of each of which being in common so that said containers and said arbors are axially aligned, means for axially transferring each group of said articles from said containers to an associated arbor including means for compressing said articles in said group to fit within said pack and for removing said pack so filled with said articles therefrom, said means for transferring and removing said article being mounted to move conjointly with said first and second conveyors during the common portion of their paths.
 2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said transfer means comprise a plurality of pushers each of which is mounted in associated axial alignment with a container and arbor in their common path of movement, first cam means including individual follower means connect to each of said pushers for successively reciprocating said pushers to effect transfer of said article during the movement of said conveyors.
 3. The machine according to claim 2 wherein the common path of said conveyors extends about coaxial first and second arcuate members, the pushers are radially mounted about a coaxial wheel member and the first cam is a cylindrical member having an opposed fluted first cam profile, said wheel member and said first cam being integrally connected with said arcuate members, each of said pusher members being provided with a cam follower located within said fluted profile, said profile being formed so as to reciprocally move said pushers backwards and forwards during selected portions of the rotation of said cam.
 4. The machine according to claim 3 including means for selectively preventing location of the cam follower into the fluted profile to prevent movement of said pusher.
 5. The machine according to claim 4 wherein the means for preventing location of the cam follower comprises means for mounting said cam foLlower on a sliding shaft, a pawl mounted about a rotatable shaft, said pawl being located adjacent said sliding shaft to selectively engage said sliding shaft to prevent its movement and means for rotating said pawl shaft in response to a predetermined signal into and out of the path of the sliding shaft.
 6. The machine according to claim 2 in which the means for compressing each group of articles comprises a plurality of compressor pockets, said pockets being mounted about a third arcuate member coaxial with the common path of movement of the first and second conveyors each compressor being axially aligned between associated container and arbor and comprises a first pair of opposed parallel jaw members fixed to an angular slide, means mounting each said slide for reciprocally opposed movement with each other, a second pair of opposed movable jaw members mounted perpendicularly to said first jaw members, spring means for urging said second jaw members into engagement with the faces of the opposite one of said fixed members said jaw members forming a rectangular frame corresponding to the pack formation and means for moving said slide so as to vary the distances between the opposed members to thereby vary the dimensions of said frame.
 7. The machine according to claim 6 including a plurality of flared connector members, said connector members being mounted in one to one relationship with said compressor pockets between said compressor pockets and the associated container.
 8. The machine according to claim 6 including an elongated arm attached to each of the slides, a lever rocker pivotally interconnecting each of the ends of said arms, a cam follower connected to said lever, a second cam having a fluted profile receiving said follower, said second cam mounted coaxially with the third arcuate member, said cam profile being adapted to selectively rock said lever to move said arms in opposed directions thereby opening and closing the compressor pocket.
 9. The machine according to claim 1 in which the means for removing the filled pack comprises a fourth arcuate member coaxially with the common path of travel of said conveyors, said arcuate member having a plurality of boxlike housing fitted about the periphery thereof in axial alignment to the associated containers and arbors whereby said filled packs may be transferred therein, hammer means mounted adjacent said housing and means for actuating said hammer at predetermined intervals to expel said pack from said housing.
 10. The machine according to claim 9 wherein said housings are arranged in a group of four in a cross array around a common axis, means for indexing said array about said axis in predetermined intervals, the hammer means being actuated only after at least one such indexing.
 11. The device according to claim 10 in which the indexing means comprises a rack freely slideable radially with respect to said fourth arcuate member slide means for mounting said rack, a fluted cam mounted to said fourth arcuate member for receiving said slide means thereby rectilinearly moving said rack, a pinion mounted about the axis of the housing cross array and ratchet means engaging with said rack and said pinion to provide directional movement to said array.
 12. The machine according to claim 11 including a four bar linkage having at one end the hammer means and being connected at the other end to a cam follower received within a cam profile mounted on the fourth arcuate member, said cam profile being adapted to reciprocate said hammer in synchronism with the indexing of said array. 